used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
André
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
André's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
CrowsnounUS /kroʊz/
plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
despatchverb
send away towards a designated goal
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
dishonourverb
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
being one more than ten
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
flawlesslyadverbUS /ˈflɔːləsli/
smoothly and without difficulty; precisely and deftly
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
foesnounUS /foʊz/
plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
GallowsnounUS /ˈɡæloʊz/
an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
King'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
PompadournounUS /ˈpɑːmpədɔːr/
French noblewoman who was the lover of Louis XV, whose policies she influenced (1721-1764)
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
primedadjectiveUS /praɪmd/
(usually followed by “to” or “for”) on the point of or strongly disposed
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
a strong line
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
SereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
not in physical motion
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
surveyedverbUS /sərˈveɪd/
past form of “survey” — consider in a comprehensive way
From this reading André pulled the curtains back and surveyed the night.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON SECRET SERVICE THE clock in André’s room struck eleven.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
VersaillesnounUS /verˈsaɪ/
a city in north central France near Paris; site of the Palace of Versailles that was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century
From this reading Serene, flawlessly serene, as an October night at Versailles can be.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading His experience at “The Gallows and the Three Crows” had warned him that for his foes to discover the King’s commission was for Madame de Pompadour and himself ruin, death, and dishonour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Satisfied that his pistols were properly primed, that the precious despatch was still in his pocket, he blew out the lights and then by a rope ladder swung himself out of the window.
